The long range wireless technology is what makes this all possible. The body is weather resistant, and has a built in 8 inch subwoofer, a 100 watt digital amplifier, and it has a backlit top panel for local control. The iCast transmitter is included for wirelessly connecting your iPod or MP3 player. It can also stream music from Mac or PC and can take advantage of internet sources like Pandora and Rhapsody. Its zone 2 output is even compatible with legacy audio devices.

The internal battery will yield 10 to 20 hours of wireless music depending on the volume level. It has a good design that will match just about any setting from a backyard barbeque to just hanging out in the living room. It is available from select distributors and retailers. No pricing is listed on their site or in the press release, but these are pretty high-end and will likely have a high-end price tag to match.

Press release:

CHULA VISTA, Calif., June 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Wait till the music lovers hear this. Soundcast Systems, developer of high performance wireless audio systems and products, announces its new OutCast 3.4 multi-room, multi-source wireless speaker system with subwoofer just in time for summertime home and outdoor entertaining. Your music affordably enjoyed wherever you are—with no wires!

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110610/NY17975 )

Wireless is in. Affordable is in. Portable is in. iPod®/iPhone® access and control is in. So Outcast 3.4 is in! The new system is destined to be the most utilized speaker you’ll ever own, and Soundcast is happy to shout its hefty claim.

OutCast 3.4′s technology lets you easily access and enjoy up to 3-sources of your favorite music in up to 4 separate areas of your home or business. Heck yes, listen both in and outdoors!

The OutCast 3.4 has a powerful wireless broadcast range of up to 300-feet. Clear, precise transmissions easily travel through walls, doors, floors, ceilings and roofs. You enjoy rich, multi-directional, uninterrupted sound anywhere and anytime.

Additional features include:

Tri-amplified, high-definition audio reproduction w/DSP
Long-range, interference-free wireless technology
Internal battery provides 10-to-20 hours of wireless music (+/- power level)
Easy to use backlit top panel keypad for control

You set the stage and command performance with the built-in smart control system. In addition to allowing 3-source music selection and control for your iPod/iPhone/MP3/PC or Mac personal music library, take advantage of Pandora®, Rhapsody®, iTunes®, Radio, HD Radio, Cable Music and even legacy audio sources for the receivers’ zone 2 output. Like magic, music you choose is sent to each Soundcast 3.4-equipped listening area (zone).

The ability to tag songs for a later purchase is one of the easiest, and most convenient ways to shop for songs that you may not have immediate access to. After all, the radio is still an avenue to learn about your favorite band’s latest release, or to find new music in general. Microsoft has been tagging songs since late 2008, but it’s a pretty big feature in the Zune HD’s
catalogue.

The HD Radio on the touch-based Zune allows you to tag a song you hear, and then purchase/download it from the Zune Marketplace at a later date. Convenient, but apparently it goes against a patent that one Edward Yavitz, a man based out of Illinois, patented back in 2002. According to Yavitz, he tried to get in touch with the Redmond-based company that created the Zune HD back in 2006. He basically said that the technology is patented and possible, and that Yavits would work with Microsoft to keep the likes of Google and Apple from doing the same thing.

Of course, Apple is doing the same thing. The technology is found in the 5th generation iPod Nano, and can buy songs that are identified by RDS text and tagged. At the moment, there’s no word on whether or not Yavitz will go for Apple, or anyone else using the same technology for that matter. Furthermore, Microsoft knows that the patent suit exists, but they are not commenting on the situation at this time. We’d be willing to bet that a settlement gets met, if Yavitz does indeed prove the patent exists. We will let you know when we hear more about this.

[via Datamation]

The new technology will be available in several Ford models starting next year. The HD receiver will be added to the standard AM/FM tuner in Ford vehicles. The addition means that 2010 Ford vehicles will have HD Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, and Ford Sync technology built-in from the factory. The new HD tuner with iTunes tagging will allow up to 100 tags to be stored on the SYNC system until the iPod is connected to download the metadata from the car or truck.

When the iPod is later synced with iTunes the tagged tracks for the Ford vehicle can be purchased directly over iTunes. The radio has a tag button on the front for tagging songs as they play on the radio. All HD-enabled receivers in Ford vehicles will display metadata as songs play. The new HD radios also support HD2 and HD3 channels as well.

The Cydle T43H has a 4.3-inch touchscreen, internal HD Radio/HD Traffic antenna and external aerial connector, PMP functionality and an SD card slot (up to 8GB cards supported).  It’s already on sale, in fact, priced at $299 with no subscription fees.

As for the Cydle M7 MID, that has 8GB of onboard storage and an HDMI output, and is intended to be used as both a PMP and an internet device.  The company aren’t clear on what connectivity is integrated – we’re guessing WiFi and probably Bluetooth, too – but there’s a screen cover that doubles as a desk stand, and it works in portrait and landscape orientations.  It should ship in Q2 2010, priced at $199.

Finally, the Cydle T70 and T50 are both PMPs – with 7-inch and 5-inch touchscreen displays, respectively – and have GPS as standard; the company will also offer optional HD Radio, Live HD Traffic update, Bluetooth, WiFi and mobile TV.  It’ll also be possible to specify them with Cydle’s “Black Box” system, which buffers video footage from the last 15 seconds of driving should an accident trigger a g-sensor; it’s also available as a standalone product, the Cydle BX1, and as the T70BX.  No word on pricing for any of these new products, however.

Press Release:

At International CES, Cydle to Unveil World’s First GPS-Multimedia Combo with Free HD Live Traffic Updates

Multifunction is the Byword as Company Extends its Line; New Units Blend GPS, HD Traffic, HD Radio, Video, Audio, Bluetooth and More

TORRANCE, Calif. –(Business Wire)– Dec 22, 2009 At 2010 International CES, Cydle (www.cydle.com), the emerging leader in car-based multimedia systems and one of South Korea’s biggest electronics makers, is poised to launch a diverse suite of products that includes the world’s first portable GPS with built-in HD Radio and free HD live traffic updates.

The company’s line of wireless digital devices seamlessly integrate capabilities that combine navigation with entertainment – including GPS, Live HD traffic update, HD Radio, rich multimedia, Bluetooth, WiFi, black box, mobile TV technology and more.

“The car should be a haven,” said Woody Lee, U.S. director of sales, Cydle. “Whether a driver needs accurate traffic information and alternate routes to get somewhere on time, wants to watch a video of his or her family while on a business trip, or simply wants to enjoy a favorite tune. We provide all of that, at the highest quality, from a single device.”

Poised for rollout at CES in Las Vegas on January 7:

GPS with HD Traffic Update – new technology delivers Live Traffic updates 10x faster than competitors. Cydle’s new T43H is the world’s first portable navigation system with built-in HD Radio to include free HD Traffic, offering real-time updates 10 times faster than other traffic message channels. The T43H contains an Internal & External antenna and refreshes automatically to include the latest information about accidents, traffic speed and road construction areas. Drivers simply punch in the destination and get real-time alerts as they go.

The T43H goes beyond navigation to serve as a holistic entertainment device with a high-resolution 4.3-inch screen, combining a rich media video player, audio player and picture viewer into a single device. The T43H is available through select online retailers for $299. There is no subscription fee.

Combined GPS and Multimedia Players. Cydle will unveil two additional products that combine a GPS unit and a multimedia player with wider touch screens. Both the T70 (with a 7-inch screen) and T50 (5-inch screen) are basic GPS units; the T70BX also comes with the black box unit built-in. All are available with a range of options, including HD Radio, Live HD Traffic update, Bluetooth, WiFi, mobile TV, and black box (with the T70 and T50).

BX1 – a Black Box for the car. The new Cydle BX1 continually updates every 30 seconds to keep a running video of events while driving. When the G-force shock sensor detects an event, Cydle BX1 retains data from 15 seconds before and after the impact. The footage is saved to an SD Card, making it accessible and viewable on a PC. That information can help discover what happened and can be used as evidence in an investigation. The Cydle BX1 will be available in the United States in Q1 2010, with a suggested retail price of $149.

Mobile Internet Device. Cydle’s new M7 Mobile Internet Device (MID) functions as an Internet search appliance, a digital photo frame and multimedia player (music and movies), and incorporates HDMI support. Eight GB of memory comes standard, expandable to 16GB. Highly portable and ideal for hands-free operation, the unit features an embedded screen cover that acts as a stand when the device is in use, and supports both vertical and horizontal views. The M7 is expected to carry a retail price of $199, with shipping slated for 2Q, 2010.

“With advanced technologies that uniformly make life easier for motorists specifically and for consumers overall, Cydle is en route to becoming the dashboard companion of choice for those who want to break away from the pack,” Lee said. “At 2010 CES, we’re ready to raise the bar – again.”

A quick refresher, and you’ll remember that the Zune HD is packing a 3.3″ OLED display, with a capacitive touchscreen and multi-touch support. It comes packed with HD radio, as well as the ability to output 720p HDTV for movies and other media. You’ll need an extra dock to port the video to a compatible HDTV. But, it’s with the Tegra chip that things get tantalizing. We know that the processor will be handling the multimedia on the Zune HD, and NVIDIA decided to open up on this. The Tegra processor is made up of at least eight independent processors, which can work on their own or together to control power consumption. Each processor is also designed for one suite of tasks: one processor for audio, another for HD video, a graphics processor, and two ARM cores, among others. With the Zune HD’s built-in nPower technology, the entire system should be optimized for system power and enable lengthy HD viewing/music playback.

But this is all on paper, and if we’re to learn anything from the past, we know that a lot of things sound great on paper, but can act drastically different when it comes to the real thing. Will Microsoft fall victim to the past? Or will they finally realize the true potential of a processor that many have been vying for since its announcement. Whether you’re excited to get your hands on one or see it fail against the competition, you’re wait ends in less than a month.

[via NVIDIA]

The NS-HD01 promises up to 10hrs runtime from the built-in rechargeable battery, plus both FM and free-to-air HD Radio reception.  There are ten (tricky to program) preset slots, a 3.5mm headphone jack (which you could also plug into your car stereo’s aux-in port, if it has such a thing) and even comes with an arm-band holder.

Dave found that sound quality was let down by the shoddy supplied headphones – no surprise there, really – and that his stereo headsets from the iPhone and other brands don’t seem to work properly with the Insignia’s headphone jack.  He’s still impressed, though; full feedback at Zatz Not Funny and more coverage at CNET.

This is definitely a luxury item, sporting a compact design meant to turn heads. It’s capable of delivering Internet radio and FM radio, but no AM, notably. Pandora stations are also available through this device.

16,000 stations are accessible. All you need to do is connect to the Internet via LAN or WiFi connection. This kind of feature set will cost you though. A whopping $499, in fact. So, this definitely isn’t the Internet radio for everyone, but it might just be the thing you want to splurge on.

WiFi will come standard, as it has always been a part of the Zune, and the device will also have an accelerometer (which is standard in most devices anymore). Web browsing will be accomplished through a browser built on Internet Explorer (which might be the lone deal breaker here, but we’ll wait to see).

We’re looking at a potential “early fall” launch date, as Microsoft expands the Zune Marketplace overseas, and incorporates the Zune with the XBox environment. The price and storage capacities of the Solid State device are still hush-hush though, but I’m predicting something around 16-32GB and look for a price to undercut the iPod Touch.

[Via Gizmodo]

Thurrott’s source is said to be one “close to Microsoft”, and the same news is apparently confirmed by another “good source” of Ars Technica.  Microsoft themselves have already confirmed that a new Zune is expected to launch this year, and it’s expected to take on both the iPod touch and include the company’s new living room assault.

There’s also talk of the “HD” part of “Zune HD” referring to an HD Radio component, though others are claiming the PMP will be capable of pumping out HD-quality video through a mini HDMI port.  So, no official September confirmation as yet, but several converging rumors and leaks that seem to suggest the Zune HD will land there or thereabouts. 

[via Ars Technica]

According to their information, the HD Radio will land at a “big box retailer” – our money is on Best Buy - sometime over the summer.  As well as HD Radio it’ll be able to pick up FM broadcasts, but there’s no word on battery life, AM capabilities or manufacturer.  That button on the right-hand side, with the round icon, looks a little like a recording key, which might suggest you can load up a memory card and record OTA broadcasts.

The downsides – apart from the lack of information – are that it lacks Bluetooth support and, well, isn’t the smallest gadget on the block.  That likely won’t hold back too many people when it’s carrying a $50 price tag, though.

The Onkyo UP-A1 dock and charger for iPod lets users listen to content on their iPhone or iPod directly through their home theater entertainment system. The dock recharges the device, and allows the user to control the functions using their Onkyo AV receiver remote control. The dock is compatible with nearly every iPod and iPhone model, and is the first Onkyo dock to carry the Made for iPod certification. The UP-A1 dock and charger will be available in May for $109.

The Onkyo UP-HT1 HD Radio tuner will allow users an easy way to add HD Radio reception to a U-Port-equipped receiver. All control and display functions for the device are integrated into the receiver’s front panel and remote control. Users can also daisy chain more than one UP enabled device using the expansion option in the enclosure. The UP-HT1 will be available in July for $159.

The Cydle T34 is a very clean looking device that incorporates a feature that I have believed should be standard in these types of gadgets for some time now. There is no need to go out and get an HD Radio if you pick this navigation system up, as has one built right in.  There is no word as to if you can simultaneously use both features at one time, but we imagine voice directions and music would clash after a while.

The T43 has a 4.3-inch touchscreen, and integrated Bluetooth support. With a combination of Cydle XE Map, 4Cydle 3D Map and real-time traffic updates this little device should hit the ground running against other famous brands like Garmin. There was no pricing mention, but it is expected to hit Best Buy shelves sometime in the near future.

No longer do you need to set the clock, this clock radio automatically syncs the time with your iPhone or iPod. The one touch iTunes tagging feature allows you to tag music from the HD Radio and automatically save info on your iPhone or iPod for you.  The bright display tells you what station you are listening to along with the song title, artist and frequency information.

“iLuv is delighted to unveil their third HD radio alarm clock product to HD aficionados desiring a little something more in their bedside tunes and sound quality” said Robert Caputo, iLuv Sales VP. “We have created this product to meet the latest demands of HD users, featuring the dual alarm clock functions, iTunes tagging and a TV connection output for watching your iPod videos on TV.”

You can program a total of 30 preset stations (10 AM and 20 FM).  This HD radio has iAura Acoustic Speaker Technology to deliver very full, rich tones.  If you have another PMP that you would like to use as an audio source you can just plug it into the 3.5mm audio input. The iHD171 HD Radio will go on sale in January for the retail price of $199.99.

The iTunes Tagging allows users to pin track information from HD radio stations onto compatible iPhone and iPod devices, while the Time Sync function allows the radio to auto-synch the time and clock from connected devices. TV output is also provided for iPod device with video output capability.

Mp3 players or any other audio devices can be connected via its auxiliary line input with a standard-size 3.5mm output jack. The sound system features iLuv’s jAura Acoustic Speaker Technology with power rating of 4Wrms driven into two-channel. iLuv will debut the new iHD171 HD Radio at CES 2009. It has an MSRP of $199.99.

iLuv iHD171 HD Radio Features

• Compatible with iPhone 3G and 2G
• Time Sync function automatically updates the clock to match the time on your iPhone or iPod*
• One touch iTunes tagging: tags music from HD Radio and saves the song info on your iPhone & iPod
• Provides crystal clear, digital stereo for AM/FM HD Radio and multicast stations
• Receives CD-quality HD radio signals that increase clarity of FM radio stations
• Displays station, song title, band and frequency information
• Receives standard analog AM and FM stereo radio signals
• 30 Programmable presets (10 AM/20 FM)
• jAura Acoustic Speaker Technology for rich sound
• Play and charge your iPhone/iPod
• Output your favorite videos to your TV (iPod with video capability**)
• Digital clock display with dual alarm function
• Wake or Sleep to iPhone/iPod, AM/FM radio or buzzer
• Auxiliary line input for audio devices with 3.5mm jack
• Preset EQ function and mute function
• Audio output: 4Wrms x 2: 8Wrms/16Wpeak
*Excluding iPod nano 1st generation
**Excluding iPod nano 1st and 2nd generation

Sony has fitted front mounted mini-jacks for plugging in other audio sources, and the GT920U is also compatible with iPods, HD and satellite radio (albeit with accessories required).  MP3, non-DRM AAC and non-DRM WMA files are supported, both on CD or memory stick.  Power output for both units rates at 52 watts x 4, with three additional pre-outs.

Personally they’re a bit too garish for my tastes – I like my stereo to look integrated with the rest of the dash, rather than resembling a button-encrusted barnacle clinging to it – but Sony do have a reputation for solid sound and build quality.  Both include a credit-card style remote.  The Xplod CDX-GT620U is available now, priced at around $160.  Meanwhile the Xplod CDX-GT920U will be available in June, priced at around $250.

Each radio also features thirty programmable presets, ten for AM and twenty for FM.  The i169 also ships with a remote control, something seemingly absent from the i168.  There are more than 1,600 HD Radio stations at present, and in excess of 750 FM HD2/HD3 multicast stations.

The iLuv i168 is available now, priced at $89.99.  Meanwhile, the iLuv i169 will be released in early May, priced at $169.99.  That seems like quite a premium for basically an added iPod dock, especially when you could simply plug the PMP into the auxilary input (yes, you’d lose the track skip controls, but I guess you have to decide whether doing it manually is worth eighty bucks to you).

Press Release:

iLuv Enters HD Radio Marketplace

iLuv Announces the i169 HD Radio Unit with iPod Dock and Dual Alarm Clock and the i168 HD Radio Unit with Dual Alarm Clock

PORT WASHINGTON, NY – (April 30, 2008) – iLuv, the leader in innovative approaches to audio systems, announced today two new HD Radio units, the i168 and i169. The iLuv i169 HD Radio unit with iPod Dock and Dual Alarm Clock will be available early May 2008 with an MSRP of $169.99 and the i168 HD Radio with Dual Alarm Clock will be available in mid April 2008 with an MSRP of $89.99. Both will be available online at www.i-luv.com as well as JC Penny, Electronics Expo and J&R Music.

“HD Radio technology greatly expands AM and FM broadcasting capabilities with crystal-clear digital sound, text on the screen and hundreds of new digital FM channels,” said Howard Kim, iLuv Marketing Manager. “We are pleased to offer this technology in our distinctive products.”

i169 HD Radio with iPod Dock and Dual Alarm Clock:
The i169 HD Radio with iPod Dock and Dual Alarm Clock features crystal-clear, digital stereo for FM and AM HD Radio stations and multicast channels. The i169 displays information from the HD Radio station including song name, band, frequency and more. It also receives standard analog AM and FM stereo and includes PLL tuning digital tuning technology. There are 30 programmable presets for radio stations (10 for AM / 20 for FM). The new HD Radio dock also plays and charges your iPod and the digital dual alarm clock function allows you to wake to iPod, AM/FM radio, or buzzer. It also includes an auxiliary line input for any audio devices with 3.5mm jack and remote control. www.i-luv.com

i168 HD Radio Unit with Dual Alarm Clock:
The i168 HD Radio unit with Dual Alarm Clock provides crystal-clear, digital stereo for FM and AM HD Radio stations and multicast channels.. Functions include station and song information display, analog AM and FM stereo reception, PLL tuning digital tuning technology and programmable presets for 30 radio stations (10 for AM / 20 for FM) and an auxiliary line input for any audio devices with 3.5mm jack. The liquid-crystal display (LCD) and dual alarm clock features a digital clock and date display with the option to wake up to AM/FM radio or buzzer and includes a mute function.

About HD Radio Broadcasting:
HD Radio broadcasting is sweeping the country, available to over 80 percent of the population. More than 1,600 AM/FM stations are currently offering crystal-clear, subscription-free digital content, including on-screen text information and more than 750 FM HD2/HD3 multicast stations offering unique formats and content. For a full list of HD Radio stations in your community, please visit www.hdradio.com.

About iLuv:
iLuv (www.i-luv.com) is a brand dedicated to developing unique audio video products and accessories for portable media players and other personal entertainment devices. Three of the company’s newest products were recognized as CES Innovations 2008 Design and Engineering Award Honorees. In 2007, iLuv was recognized as CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award Honorees for the i1055 and i603. For more information on iLuv, please visit www.i-luv.com